big bluestem

E608012

Big bluestem is a tall, perennial warm-season prairie grass native to North America, known as a key component of tallgrass prairie ecosystems and an important forage species for grazing animals.

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Observed surface forms (3)

Surface form Occurrences
Andropogon gerardii 0
Andropogon 0
Poaceae 0

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf perennial grass
plant family
plant genus
plant species
prairie grass
warm-season grass
commonNameOf Andropogon gerardii NERFINISHED
conservationStatus common in much of its range
distribution Great Plains NERFINISHED
Midwestern United States NERFINISHED
central United States
ecosystemRole dominant species in tallgrass prairie
keystone grass in tallgrass prairie ecosystems
family Poaceae NERFINISHED
fireEcology resprouts after fire
floweringSeason mid to late summer
forageQuality high quality summer forage
genus Andropogon NERFINISHED
growthForm bunchgrass
habitat open grasslands
roadsides
tallgrass prairies
height 1–3 meters
3–10 feet
importance important wildlife habitat plant
major component of tallgrass prairie biomass
inflorescenceShape turkey-foot like seed head
inflorescenceType three-parted raceme
lifeCycle perennial
nativeTo North America
tallgrass prairie region
palatability palatable to bison
palatable to cattle
photosyntheticPathway C4
plantType warm-season grass
rootDepth often exceeds 2 meters
rootSystem deep fibrous roots
soilPreference moderately moist soils
well-drained soils
taxonRank species
tolerance drought tolerant
tolerant of fire
usedFor forage for grazing animals
hay production
pasture grass
prairie restoration
soil conservation

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Flint Hills dominantGrasses big bluestem